Blog Archive (June 2015) (Page2)

Laboratory rats are frequently used for testing chemicals and genetically modified (GMO) foods, as the last step before commercialization in order to determine effects on mammalian health and predict risk in humans. Such chemicals include pesticides (which often are endocrine disruptors or toxic to the nervous system), plasticizers, and food additives. Some are suspected of being... more

ST. LOUIS — Monsanto Corporation, the agribusiness giant best known for its pesticides and genetically-modified crops, also manufactured white phosphorous for the U.S. government over at least the past 20 years. Used in incendiary military weapons, the United States sold white phosphorous-based weapons to Israel, which used those weapons to commit brutal war crimes against Palestinians... more

Pope Francis slams both GMOs and pesticides in a draft of his major environmental document that was leaked Monday. He has also called for the financing of independent and interdisciplinary research to study GMOs.On the subject of GMOs Pope Francis states; “It is difficult to give an overall judgment on the development of genetically modified organisms (GMO), plant or animal, for medical... more

By: Sybille de La HamaideFrench Environment and Energy Minister Segolene Royal has asked garden shops to stop over-the-counter sales of Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller as part of a wider fight against pesticides seen as potentially harmful to humans."France must be offensive on stopping pesticides," Royal told France 3 television on Sunday.She did not specify how... more

By: Bill Moyers and Michael WinshipFinally! At last! Bipartisan collaboration in Washington -- and what a beaut! President Obama, the Republican Party, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, K Street lobbyists and giant multinational companies are all singing "Kumbaya" and working together to shove through Congress the fast-track legislation that will grease the wheels... more

Monsanto (MON.N) has ruled out raising its non-binding $45 billion offer for Swiss rival Syngenta (SYNN.VX) unless the target company gives it access to business data.Monsanto is hosting meetings across Europe this week to woo Syngenta investors, and two Monsanto top executives said in one of these gatherings that only a due diligence assessment of Syngenta's operations could tell whether... more

By: Sarah LazareAgrochemical giant Monsanto—known for its power over food systems world-wide—recently suggested a name-change as part of a proposed corporate merger, in what critics say is a bald attempt to bury the poor human rights and environmental reputation associated with the company's brand.Founded in St. Louis, Monsanto recently revealed that it would like to move its... more

ATTLEBORO - Local residents are petitioning U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III to support legislation calling for more labeling of genetically modified food.The residents are also asking the congressman to oppose a Republican bill that would ban states from passing food-safety laws.Residents dropped off two letters to Kennedy, D-Brookline, at his Attleboro office while 10 to 15 stopped into his... more

Minneapolis — A coalition of scientists warns there is no consensus on the safety of genetically-modified organisms, and more long-term research must be done on individual modified crops. Their message stands in sharp contrast to the idea, popular in the mainstream media, that GMO safety is universally accepted by science.“Fears, Not Facts, Support G.M.O.-Free Food,” reads the... more

By: Gaye DavisCAPE TOWN – The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called for genetically modified foods in South Africa to be banned, pending an investigation into whether they can be toxic to humans.The party’s Member of Parliament Mkhuleko Hlengwa was speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday.He cited reports that Free State University lab tests have found the percentage of... more

By: Helena Bottemiller EvichSan Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener is confident his city’s government will pass his ordinance today and become the first in the country to mandate advertisements for sugar-sweetened beverages also carry a warning message.The ordinance will be voted on by the 11-member Board of Supervisors at a 2 p.m. PST meeting today.“I’m hoping it will... more